I admit I wasn't a big fan of the crust...I'm perfectly content with some butter and graham crackers...but the cheesecake itself was lovely. My mother-in-law adored it.

One pound of cream cheese, 3/4 pounds marscapone, the seeds from half a vanilla bean...all coming together for a creamy, but not too sweet, cheesecake.

Served with a rather interesting lavender syrup; the lavender leaves are steeped, then cooled. Sugar is melted with the tiniest amount of water. When it's melted, add in the (strained) lavender water, and stir till cool.

I don't really eat sweet things; I seem to have lost my tolerance for them. But I still love a slice of cheesecake now and then. So much so, that I post-poned the start of my 'no dairy for three weeks' by one day; I just had to have a piece!

Of course, I wrapped the rest of it up (why oh why do I not, ever?, have the proper-sized pans? had to use a 10", instead of a 9"), and sent it home with the in-law's.

After a visit to his parent's house, Matt reported that they've been working on it every night!

6 Thoughts for food:

That cheesecake sounds delicious, and I'm not even a huge fan of them.

I just wanted to comment on the no-dairy thing. I had to go on a strict non-dairy diet after my son was born because he had a milk allergy and was having trouble nursing and holding it down. You'd be surprised of all the things that contain milk or milk byproducts. (at least, I was!) Good luck, and I hope that it renders good results for you.

Actually, I'm keenly aware of dairy's presence; it's not unlike being a vegetarian, really. Sometimes, I think all I do is read labels...I have to be dilligent, becaue you never know what's in your food!